Suggest Treatment For Barking Cough In A 10 Month Old

Posted on Wed, 16 Nov 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 Answered on

Tue, 6 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My 10 month old woke up from an evening nap with a barks cough. It is 1:00am and he has woken up crying and crying has barking quality. We are bathroom with steam. Should I be in ER ?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Likely to be due to a viral infection

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Most often such symptoms occur due to certain viral infections and the infection is known as bronchiolitis. Usually it last for 5-7 days or so irrespective of treatment. Steam inhalation is the mainstay of treatment and you are doing the right thing in giving steam inhalation. It might be a good idea to give some antiallergic like cetirizine once daily.

If the child is otherwise active and fine you need not worry. But if the child is lethargic it would be a good idea to visit a doctor.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar